The cowpox vaccine was successfully developed, but the next phase—nationwide distribution—presented a monumental hurdle.
The logistical protocols were finalized. Doctor Liu, operating with complete transparency, had compiled comprehensive manuals detailing dosage calculation, post-inoculation observation, and symptom management. He proactively assumed the responsibility of training the Imperial Medical Bureau, holding nothing back.
The insurmountable problem was entirely psychological: 'Who would be the first to receive the vaccine?'
The imperial court descended into chaotic debates. The fear of smallpox was deeply ingrained, a primal terror of a disease that indiscriminately slaughtered commoners and emperors alike. Rationally, the officials understood the cowpox vaccine was a miracle. Everyone wanted immunity.
However, the vaccine was brand new. Despite reviewing the clinical data and visiting the research estate—despite seeing the documented 95% survival rate—the officials paralyzed themselves with hypotheticals.
The paralyzing logic: What if they were part of the 5% failure rate? Why volunteer to be infected with a "mild" virus when they were currently healthy?
The entire bureaucracy recoiled. No one dared to be the vanguard.
***
At the Qianqing Palace.
Emperor Kangxi stared at the mounting pile of hesitant memorials on his desk, his mood darkening. The empire needed a leader to demonstrate the vaccine's safety, but he could not force his officials without inciting panic.
His head eunuch, Liang Jiugong, interrupted his dark thoughts. "Your Majesty, Concubine Daijia requests an audience."
Kangxi paused, surprised. Concubine Daijia was known for her absolute discretion. While other concubines constantly vied for his attention by delivering soups and pastries to his study, she never did. If she had a new dish, she waited until he visited the Grand Empress Dowager's Cining Palace. Her sudden appearance at his administrative center was highly anomalous.
Intrigued, Kangxi granted her entry. After hearing her request, his eyes widened in sheer shock. "What did you say?"
"This concubine volunteers to be inoculated with the cowpox vaccine," Daijia stated calmly, kneeling before him. "I beg for Your Majesty's permission."
"Do you understand the risks?" Kangxi warned, testing her resolve. "The vaccine is newly developed. Doctor Liu's reports clearly state that one test subject died."
"I am aware," she replied. "That is precisely why I am volunteering."
Kangxi's gaze sharpened. "Explain your reasoning."
Daijia's Tactical Analysis: "I serve at the Cining Palace, and I overheard your concerns regarding the vaccine rollout," Daijia explained. "The public is terrified. Rumors are spreading, and malicious actors are attempting to weaponize the fear against the throne. To convince the empire, the Imperial Family must lead by example."
She laid out the variables meticulously. "However, the royal children cannot take this risk. Doctor Liu's pediatric trials only utilized children aged three and above. The Crown Prince is already immune, having survived the disease. Only the First Prince, Yinshi, meets the age requirement, but he is a precious imperial heir. He must not be endangered. Therefore, as a woman of the Imperial Harem, I am the most expendable, yet symbolically powerful, candidate."
Kangxi's heart moved. He desperately needed a royal volunteer, and Daijia had offered herself flawlessly, perfectly articulating his own strategic needs while appearing entirely selfless.
"I understand your loyalty," Kangxi said, his voice softening. "But the risk is real. If the worst happens... Go back and let me consider this."
Daijia did not retreat. She pressed her advantage, adding an emotional layer to her logical argument.
"Your Majesty," she said, her eyes welling with calculated tears. "I lack the beauty and intellect of the other sisters in the harem. I cannot assist you with state affairs or ease your burdens. You have graced me with favor and allowed me to bear the Seventh Prince. This is the only way I can repay your kindness. Please, allow me to be useful to you."
Kangxi was profoundly moved. It was the perfect convergence of political necessity and emotional devotion. He stepped down from his throne and personally helped Daijia to her feet. "Your deep righteousness honors me. I grant your request."
Just as they shared a tender moment, Liang Jiugong announced another arrival. "Your Majesty, Concubine De (Uya) requests an audience!"
Both Kangxi and Daijia froze.
***
At the Yonghe Palace.
Concubine Uya returned to her chambers, her carefully prepared soup left behind in the Emperor's study. Her face was a mask of cold fury.
Her maid, Yujuan, noticed her dark aura. "Your Ladyship, what is wrong?"
The senior maid, Yuchan, immediately cut her off. "Stop asking questions and leave us."
As Yujuan stalked off, muttering curses about Yuchan's arrogance, Yuchan carefully approached Uya. "Your Ladyship, at least the Emperor knows of your willingness to sacrifice yourself. We achieved the objective."
"Achieved it?" Uya scoffed bitterly. "There is a massive political difference between being the 'first' to volunteer and being the 'second'."
Uya's Internal Monologue: She had been outmaneuvered. She knew Daijia intimately. Daijia was not stupid, but she lacked the grand strategic vision to connect the medical crisis to harem politics. Someone had fed Daijia this plan. 'It must be the Grand Empress Dowager.'
Uya clenched her fists, realizing the catastrophic error in her own calculations. She had initially guided Daijia, thinking the concubine would only gain a minor status boost to protect her crippled son. She never anticipated the Grand Empress Dowager would weaponize Daijia so effectively.
She forced her fists to unclench. The move was played; she had to adapt.
"Yuchan," Uya ordered, her voice completely smooth. "Prepare several high-quality gifts. We are going to visit Sister Daijia. Since we are both going to the quarantine zone to receive the vaccine, we should discuss what supplies to bring."
Strategic Adjustment: Uya knew Daijia felt indebted to her for past advice. She had to leverage that debt immediately. She needed to probe Daijia's exact relationship with the Cining Palace and ensure this new alliance didn't destroy her own long-term plans.
***
At the Zhongcui Palace.
Concubine Hui nearly dropped her teacup. "What did you say? Daijia and Uya both volunteered for the cowpox trial?!"
"Yes," her head maid, Fangrui, confirmed. "The news is spreading through the entire palace."
First Prince Yinshi, standing nearby, was appalled. "Are they insane? They are going to die!"
Concubine Hui dismissed all the servants, her eyes flashing with furious realization. "No! They aren't insane. They are brilliant!"
Hui's Tactical Failure: Hui ground her teeth in frustration. She had recognized the Emperor's need for a royal volunteer. She had considered the maneuver herself, but fear had paralyzed her. Her hesitation had cost her the initiative, allowing two lower-ranking concubines to seize the ultimate political high ground.
Correction: To achieve supreme power, one must take supreme risks. Hesitation was a death sentence in the harem.
She turned sharply to Yinshi. "You are coming with me to the Emperor right now. We are both volunteering for the inoculation."
"Mother!" Yinshi recoiled. "It's smallpox! It kills!"
"Listen to me!" Hui snapped, rapidly laying out the medical intelligence. "Doctor Liu's final dosage protocol was tested on thirty-five subjects. Only one died. And I explicitly investigated that death—the subject had a pre-existing, severe heart defect he concealed to get the trial money for his family. Every single healthy subject survived!"
Yinshi hesitated, processing the data.
Hui pressed her attack, dismantling his fears logically. "Those test subjects were starving prisoners and exiles. Their immune systems were compromised. You are a healthy, robust imperial prince who excels in martial arts. Your survival odds are exponentially higher."
She stepped closer, outlining the safety protocols. "Furthermore, you are the Emperor's eldest son. Your father will never let you take the initial risk. He will observe our reactions first. And when it is your turn, Doctor Liu himself will monitor you twenty-four hours a day. The prisoners survived with minimal supervision. You will have the absolute best medical care in the empire."
Finally, she delivered the killing blow. "And even if the cowpox makes you sick, it is infinitely better than catching wild smallpox and dying. Do you remember how close the Crown Prince came to death three years ago?"
Hui grabbed her son's shoulders. "I do not want to risk your life, Yinshi. But we are losing the political war. You are almost nine years old. A prince who cowers in fear will never inherit the throne. The Emperor will never hand the empire to a coward."
The accusation struck Yinshi's pride perfectly. "I am not a coward!" the boy shouted, his competitive spirit flaring. "I am the bravest warrior in the Qing Dynasty! I will take the vaccine! Let them try and call me weak!"
Hui exhaled, relieved he had agreed, but absolute terror gripped her heart immediately after.
She had just gambled her only son's life on a theoretical medical procedure. But the Crown Prince's recent string of massive technological and political victories had backed her into a corner.
She had to close the gap, and the only currency left to spend was their lives.